✳ PLAYBOOK · REPURPOSE · YOUTUBE SHORTS
Podcast episode repurposed for a short-form platform on YouTube Shorts
Repurpose one podcast episode into multiple short-form clips with burned-in captions for vertical discovery surfaces.
What to produce
- Podcast highlight clip - 9:16, 60s
- Quote card carousel - 1:1
- Audio episode (Spotify, Apple, podcast apps) - (no aspect), 3600s
Recommended inputs
- Podcast MP3 / MP4 (60-90 min)
Platform-specific guidance
- Hook
- First 3 seconds decide Shorts retention - open on the strongest beat.
- Aspect
- 9:16
- Duration
- 60s
- Captions
- Burned-in recommended
- Reframe 16:9 to 9:16
- Yes
- Safe-zone overlay
- Apply before upload
- Caption guidance
- Burned-in captions; Shorts allow heavier caption styling.
Workflow
- Upload the episode: MP3 / MP4 / 60-90 min.
- Auto-transcribe with timestamps: Existing ASR contract is sufficient - no live paid ASR needed. (Transcribe)
- Pick 6-10 highlights by hook density: Pick moments, not topics. (Workflow)
- Reframe 16:9 to 9:16: Subject tracking; safe-zone. (Reframe)
- Burn captions per platform: TikTok-classic / Reels-modern / Shorts-bold. (Burn-in)
- Export Content Pack: Vertical clips + quote cards + audio unchanged. (Content Pack)
Pitfalls to avoid
- Music bed triggers platform muting
- Long intros not getting clipped
- Music loud enough to mask the speaker
Tools and presets
Frequently asked
How do I make a podcast episode repurposed for a short-form platform for YouTube Shorts?
Upload the episode; Auto-transcribe with timestamps; Pick 6-10 highlights by hook density; Reframe 16:9 to 9:16; Burn captions per platform; Export Content Pack.
What aspect ratio should I use on YouTube Shorts?
Use 9:16 (YouTube Shorts's safe native ratio).
Do I need burned-in captions on YouTube Shorts?
Yes - YouTube Shorts feeds are predominantly muted, so burned-in captions are essential.
Which export preset should I pick?
YouTube Shorts's SAFE_DEFAULT preset is documented at /tools/export/youtube-shorts/short.
Sources
Transistor podcast guide (verified 2026-09-18) - Wistia Learn creator playbook (verified 2026-09-18) - EBU R128 / podcast loudness reference (verified 2026-09-18)